Spring Conference On Jeju Island!

So, last November, I posted about the Fulbright fall conference in Gyeongju. Well, not long ago, Fulbright hosted their second of the two conferences. Spring Conference is on Jeju Island. The beautiful island just south of the Korean peninsula. There are a few ETAs that are placed on the island and teach in middle and high schools, but the rest of us had to fly in.

The whole adventure began on Thursday after school when two other ETAs and I began our trek from Hwacheon. We decided that since we had to fly out so early on Friday morning to make it to the hotel where the conference was held, on time, we would have to stay the night before in Seoul. From Hwacheon, to Chuncheon to Seoul. The three of us were exhausted by the time we got to the Airbnb. But the place was so nice and I ended up getting a really soft bed all to myself. It was a really nice break from the harder beds that are more common in Korea. The pillows! They were so squishy!!!

Friday morning, the three of us pack up and head out to the airport (after turning back because of a forgotten phone). We actually get there way too early. Going through Korea security is a completely different experience compared to the US. Especially since we were flying domestically. The whole process was super quick, well for the other girls. I got held up a bit by the version of my ticket I had didn't have the QR code (I had to pull up another one, easy but annoying), and then my bag got stopped because of a nail file that was in my backpack. But it was really short and quick.

We flew down to the island (about an hour) and then took a bus to the hotel. For reference, Jeju airport is almost dead center on the northern coast of the island. The hotel we were staying in was on the south coast of the island. Right on the water too. It was so beautiful. But the bus ride there took about an hour. All in all, it actually took less time compared to some of the other trips I have taken in Korea, but I think just lugging a duffel bag around just adds to exhaustion. But there is no rest for the weary because we had to get right into our conference clothes and get ready to spend the rest of the day in various presentations. Some were more fun than others but the overall experience is always good. I really enjoy these conferences. Anytime we get to just hangout together and talk about the highs and lows of teaching here as well as bounce ideas off of each other is always a good experience.

I have to take a moment to tell you how beautiful this hotel is. It was right on the coastline and there was a little path that you can take to go down to the beach. Inside the hotel, there was a giant koi pond with fish that you could actually buy food for a feed. In my room, the balcony didn't have a great view of the water, but it had a bit of a view. That didn't matter too much because when I had free time, I spent it down by the water or walking along the paths.

Saturday was much of the same, with the only difference being that the junior researchers joined us that day, and in the afternoon, the conference changed from being about the ETA experience to the Junior Researchers projects and the data/results they had at this point in their grant year. There was actually some really interesting projects that I enjoyed listening to, as well as some that were just outside of my scope of interest, but I still listened to.

Sunday was where the real fun was. Just like in Gyeongju, KAEC had organized a tour of some popular places on Jeju. Of course I had to go on this tour. I was way too excited to see the beautiful places that were on the itinerary. The first place we went to was literally five minutes from our hotel. In fact, I actually have a picture. The first place we went to was Jusangjeolli (주상절리대). These are cliffs that formed when the volcano erupted over 200,000 years ago. We didn't spend very much time here but I could defiantly spend all day there if I had the option. The water was so beautiful.

After the cliffs, we went a bit further away. We went to Jeju Folk Village (제주민속촌). It is 40 acres where they have reconstructed buildings and places from the 1890's to take you back in time in Korean history.
It was really beautiful and really interesting to see the architecture from over 100 years ago and how far the country has come in such a short time to modernize.
Before going to the final place on our itinerary, we took a quick pit stop to a beach were we got to hang out, climb on rocks, walk in the water or just enjoy the view.

Afterwards, we went to the final place, and let me tell you. I am very glad that it was the final stop. It was exhausting. The last place was Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산 일출봉) otherwise known as Sunrise Peak. This is a crater 600m in diameter and 90m high, with 99 sharp rocks lining the rim. It had a path along the side that took you up to the top. I am very much not in shape, so it took me a bit to actually get to the top, but once I got there, it was such a breathtaking view (well it would be if my breath hadn't already been taken away from the climb).

I can't believe that people climb up this early in the morning just to see the sunrise, but it must be spectacular. The hike down, I got to see some other views around the crater as well as the famous Jeju female divers which are famous for their work. It is a craft that is passed down through generations and these divers swim without any breathing equipment. They were very graceful in the water.

Monday, we spent the morning listening to presentations about the projects the researchers were working on, then off to the airport we went to catch a flight home. I am so thankful for the trip out being split into two days because the trip home was long and tiring. From the hotel to the airport to Seoul to Chuncheon to Hwacheon to home. Left the hotel around 11:30 am and I finally walked through my door at about 9:30 that night. I was really happy to be home.